Downtown Khazan: Siriel's Temporary Edition

[Omegalith]

Uploading your mind to a digital format doesn't stop the original you from slowly accruing flaws and dying, just to note. <_<

...Why would I keep it?

[Kahnno6]

Why? I'm not implying you need to stay as a static AI. You can get a modular body and keep upgrading bits until you get sufficiently bored with existence to just sign off.

I've actually given this thought. I think the finite quantity of years we have gives life great value. I understand that we've been expanding the amount given to the average human for a very long time, but the ability to live until you want to be finished just feels like it would make so many of life's treasures become hollow in the end. Just my opinion.

[Sol M]

...Why would I keep it?

Because the new you is a completely different you that just thinks that he's the original you whose consciousness has been transferred to an artificial device.

The original you? The one who actually sits through the transfer process without noticing a change in his perception due to his mind still being in his biological body? He's the one who's going to die.

[Sol M]

I've actually given this thought. I think the finite quantity of years we have gives life great value. I understand that we've been expanding the amount given to the average human for a very long time, but the ability to live until you want to be finished just feels like it would make so many of life's treasures become hollow in the end. Just my opinion.

Yes, but that's not true for everyone, I'm sure. Lots of people wouldn't mind living...as long as they want to live. In fact, most people probably would want that.

And really, you'd have perfect "health" and wouldn't grow old, even if you decided to kill yourself off when you reached 90 or whatever.

[Omegalith]

I've actually given this thought. I think the finite quantity of years we have gives life great value. I understand that we've been expanding the amount given to the average human for a very long time, but the ability to live until you want to be finished just feels like it would make so many of life's treasures become hollow in the end. Just my opinion.

It's because I value my life that I want to extend it, If I don't want to extend it as far as I can what's the point?

Yes, life would presumably become very hollow when I'm 700 or whenever. That's exactly how I'd know I've had a sufficient quantity.

If anything, the fact that I can only finish a tiny fraction of everything I'd ever like to do actually makes the time I do have less meaningful.

[Omegalith]

Because the new you is a completely different you that just thinks that he's the original you whose consciousness has been transferred to an artificial device.

The original you? The one who actually sits through the transfer process without noticing a change in his perception due to his mind still being in his biological body? He's the one who's going to die.

Oh, that.

I have no intention of making a copy: The correct approach is to upgrade your mind then phase out the biological components... Much like replacing the broken handle of an old broom, then later replacing the filthy old head attached to your perfectly usable broom handle.

[Sharkerbob]

I've actually given this thought. I think the finite quantity of years we have gives life great value. I understand that we've been expanding the amount given to the average human for a very long time, but the ability to live until you want to be finished just feels like it would make so many of life's treasures become hollow in the end. Just my opinion.

My opinion is the opposite. I find the inevitability of biological deterioration and death prevents me from being able to really live or even make important choices about my life, or commit to them when I do. Being rendered functionally immortal, I'd feel a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders, which might convince me to actually do something with myself. Having the option to drop out when you like (barring tremendous outside circumstance) rather than it being something you have virtually no power over would be the most freeing thing I can imagine.

[Sol M]

Oh, that.

I have no intention of making a copy: The correct approach is to upgrade your mind then phase out the biological components... Much like replacing the broken handle of an old broom, then later replacing the filthy old head attached to your perfectly usable broom handle.

It's not actually possible to do that though. ^^

Actually, I suppose it is, if you were fast enough to successively replace the portions of the brain that are not in use at any given instant. But you'd need actual superspeed procedures to do that.

[Omegalith]

My opinion is the opposite. I find the inevitability of biological deterioration and death prevents me from being able to really live or even make important choices about my life, or commit to them when I do. Being rendered functionally immortal, I'd feel a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders, which might convince me to actually do something with myself. Having the option to drop out when you like (barring tremendous outside circumstance) rather than it being something you have virtually no power over would be the most freeing thing I can imagine.

This, plus freedom from fatigue, hunger, healthy eating, exercise and all the other little things you need to micromanage as a result of the nature of biological life every day before you can get on with something that's either constructive or recreational.

[Omegalith]

It's not actually possible to do that though. ^^

Actually, I suppose it is, if you were fast enough to successively replace the portions of the brain that are not in use at any given instant. But you'd need actual superspeed procedures to do that.

1: Connect brain to computer.

2: Perceive world through computer-augmented perspective.

3: "Deactivate" now-redundant component, maintaining continuity of consciousness.

Sure, it's a copy, but it's a copy that the original was briefly converted into a small component of.

[Sharkerbob]

This, plus freedom from fatigue, hunger, healthy eating, exercise and all the other little things you need to micromanage as a result of the nature of biological life every day before you can get on with something that's either constructive or recreational.

That too. Sometimes, I get really fucking irritated with the fact I have to sleep and eat so much. And don't get me wrong, I do enjoy both activities. But sometimes, I'd like to go a day or two without either, and I can't, because then I'll just be feel miserable and unfocused the whole time. Who designed this fucking system anyway?

[Sharkerbob]

1: Connect brain to computer.

2: Perceive world through computer-augmented perspective.

3: "Deactivate" now-redundant component, maintaining continuity of consciousness.

Sure, it's a copy, but it's a copy that the original was briefly converted into a small component of.

Given the human body is composed of millions of cells constantly replacing themselves in a creating/dying cycle, replacing could conceivably be done if some method of slowly converting the brain matter to synthetic components were made feasible.

[mcgaffer]

I too am irked by having to sleep and eat, amongst other activities. They cut into damn good drinking time!

[The MunchKING]

Uploading your mind to a digital format so you no longer age?

Computers obsolete a lot faster than people.

[Kahnno6]

It's because I value my life that I want to extend it, If I don't want to extend it as far as I can what's the point?

Yes, life would presumably become very hollow when I'm 700 or whenever. That's exactly how I'd know I've had a sufficient quantity.

If anything, the fact that I can only finish a tiny fraction of everything I'd ever like to do actually makes the time I do have less meaningful.

I guess I don't see how life being shorter would make anything less meaningful. Wouldn't it make every decision and action you take that much more important since you get so few of them?

My opinion is the opposite. I find the inevitability of biological deterioration and death prevents me from being able to really live or even make important choices about my life, or commit to them when I do. Being rendered functionally immortal, I'd feel a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders, which might convince me to actually do something with myself. Having the option to drop out when you like (barring tremendous outside circumstance) rather than it being something you have virtually no power over would be the most freeing thing I can imagine.

But what's the value of doing one thing when you have the time to do all things?